Compact peach tree

ABSTRACT

A compact, semi-dwarf peach tree, this new variety is also characterized in its development of more fruit buds per lineal foot than with the Gold Medal tree.

BACKGROUND OF DISCOVERY

The invention or discovery relates to a new and distinct variety ofpeach tree apparently originating as a sport discovered in the form of awhole tree growing in an orchard of Gold Medal trees near the mouth ofMoses Coulee in Douglas County, Wash.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

The accompanying illustrations show the distinctly different growthhabits and limb structures of my new variety compared with its parent,Gold Medal.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a typical one-year old tree of my new varietyand

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a typical one-year old tree of standard GoldMedal, both produced from buds set on similar root stock and allowed todevelop under the same growing conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF NEW VARIETY

The new variety has a compact semi-dwarf structure not found in thenearest similar variety, namely the standard Gold Medal variety. Theimproved tree also differs from Gold Medal in the development of morefruit buds per lineal foot and in the more vigorous growth and fruitbearing capabilities of the lateral buds along most of the terminalshoots. The growth of these lateral buds is such, particularly near thebases of the terminal shoots, that the base diameters of most suchlateral buds range from one-half to three-fourths that of the base ofthe terminal shoots from which they branch. Also, the growth extensionsof these lateral buds most often range from one-half to three-fourthsthe growth extension of the supporting terminal shoot itself andoccasionally equal the length of the terminal shoot. In contrast, growthof the lateral buds near the base of the terminal shoot growth ofstandard Gold Medal are often sparse and small. Thus the growthcharacteristics of this new variety permits the maintenance of morefruiting wood on the lower branches of the tree.

Further identifying characteristics of my new variety are: Tree, mediumsmall; semi-dwarf; moderately vigorous compact form. Flowers, leaves andfruit substantially identical to standard Gold Medal. Fruit, similar insize, shape and matures the same time as Gold Medal. Color is identicalto Gold Medal.

Another peach tree variety with which my distinct new variety may becompared is that of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,217, Pratt Strain CompactRedhaven. While the tree structure and vegetative growth of my newvariety is very similar to that of said U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,217, thefruit of my new variety matures approximately twenty days later, issmaller and does not color with the full red blush typical of thevariety, Redhaven.

Subsequent to my discovery of the new variety, I reproduced it bybudding through two successive generations at my orchard located onGrant Road, East Wenatchee, Douglas County, Wash. Each successivegeneration has all of the characteristics of the original sport ormutation, so that the characteristics of my new variety appear to bestable.

Having thus disclosed my improved variety, I claim:
 1. A new anddistinct variety of peach tree characterized as to novelty by itscompact, semi-dwarf habit of growth, by the development of more fruitbuds than are normally found on trees of the standard Gold Medalvariety, and by the more vigorous growth and fruit bearing capabilitiesof its lateral buds along most of its terminal shoots.